Uber in Malta: A Practical Guide to Booking Your Ride

Does Uber work in Malta?

Yes. Uber officially launched in Malta on 9 June 2022, with three categories at the start: UberX, UberXL and Uber Comfort. Locally, the platform has relied from the outset on Rides & Eats, a subsidiary of the Maltese Alf Mizzi & Sons group, which handles driver recruitment and local marketing among other things. In June 2026, the two partners announced a change in the scope of this partnership, with no announced impact on passengers.

The service runs 24/7 on the island of Malta and on Gozo, but drivers are mostly concentrated between the airport, Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s. The further you get from this corridor, the longer the wait.

Worth knowing: at the end of July 2026, new rules for ride-hailing (Legal Notice 171 of 2026) came into force: a 12-hour daily driving limit monitored by Transport Malta through the apps, regular facial verification of drivers, and the fare and destination shown to self-employed drivers before they accept a ride. Uber then suspended its self-employed drivers while it adapted its app, and the Transport Minister threatened to suspend its licence. In practice, expect supply to be thinner at times than elsewhere, and keep a second app on your phone.

How to book an Uber in Malta

App and account

If you already use Uber in the UK, Ireland or elsewhere, there is nothing to change: your account, payment methods and saved places all work in Malta. If not, download the app on iOS or Android and create your account before you leave, on Wi-Fi, so you do not have to verify your phone number on arrival. The app works in English and drivers speak English, one of the islands’ official languages.

Payment

In Malta, Uber can only be paid electronically: by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal, depending on your account. Cash is not accepted. The fare is shown before you confirm and charged automatically at the end of the ride, so there is no haggling. Tips are optional and given in the app.

Vehicle categories

• UberX: a standard saloon for up to 4 passengers, the most common and cheapest option.
• UberXL: a people carrier for groups or families with several suitcases.
• Uber Comfort: a newer, roomier car, offered since the launch but not always available.

The categories on offer vary with the time and place: go by what the app shows you when you order. Another difference from many countries: advance booking (Uber Reserve) is in practice not available in Malta, so you have to order when you are ready to leave.

Taking an Uber at Malta Airport

At Malta International Airport (Luqa), cars booked through an app, whether Uber, Bolt or eCabs, do not wait for you outside the arrivals hall. Since July 2025, the pick-up zone has been on Level -1 of the main car park: take the escalator inside the terminal and then the tunnel to the car park, or go out through the main doors, cross the road and take the stairs down. Follow the dedicated signs and check the latest instructions on the airport’s official website, maltairport.com, as this point has changed before.

The trickiest moment is when a full flight lands in the evening or in high season: dozens of passengers order at the same time and the few Uber drivers available are snapped up fast. The official white taxis, on the other hand, are booked at the Malta Taxi desk in the arrivals hall, at a fixed fare per destination, higher than a ride-hailing car.

How much does an Uber cost in Malta?

Uber uses dynamic pricing: the fare depends on the distance, the traffic and above all the demand. According to figures published by Uber, an UberX ride from the airport costs around €21 on average for a journey of about twenty minutes. The ranges below are a rough guide, for an UberX outside periods of high demand:

Prices rise sharply on Friday and Saturday nights when Paceville empties out, after village feasts, during big events, at peak times at the airport and in bad weather. At those times, the gap with Bolt or eCabs can reach several euros on the same journey. The screenshots below, taken for the same airport → St Julian’s journey, show how close the three apps are in normal conditions.

Uber on Gozo

Uber is available on Gozo, but with very few drivers: confirmation can take a while and the wait is often longer than with Bolt, which remains the most reliable app on the island. Many drivers also work on several platforms at once.

To get to Gozo, a ride-hailing car does not cross with you: order an Uber to the Ċirkewwa terminal, take the Gozo Channel ferry as a foot passenger, then order another car when you arrive in Mġarr. If you plan to string several sights together in a day, a Gozo jeep tour or the Gozo hop-on hop-off bus saves you relying on an app at every stop. To plan your day, see our pick of things to do in Gozo.

Safety and tips for your Uber rides

Malta is a safe destination overall (see our page on safety in Malta) and ride-hailing cars operate under a Transport Malta licence. A few habits are still worth keeping:

• Before getting in, check that the number plate, model and driver photo match what the app shows.
• Share your trip in real time with someone you trust, especially at night, and if needed use the assistance button in the app’s safety toolkit.
• Never pay for an Uber ride in cash or outside the app: if a driver suggests it, say no.
• Keep conversations in the app’s messaging, which hides your phone number.
• For lost property or a fare dispute, go through your trip history in the app.

Uber or bus: which should you choose?

The bus is unbeatable on price: a ticket costs €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer (valid for two hours including transfers), and the direct routes from the airport cost €3, or €3.50 for the TD1 to the north. Contactless payment is accepted on board. On the other hand, buses are often packed in summer and a 20-minute drive can take twice as long.

Uber makes more sense when there are several of you (the fare is per car, not per person), with luggage, late at night or for a poorly served journey. To compare every option, including car hire, see our guide to getting around Malta.

Alternatives to Uber in Malta

Bolt has been the ride-hailing leader in Malta since 2017. It has the most drivers, including on Gozo and at night, with fares that are often slightly lower. It also accepts cash.

eCabs is Malta’s long-standing local company, founded in 2009 and recognisable by its black cars. It has a local booking centre, minivans and wheelchair-accessible vehicles: a good choice for families and pre-planned transfers.

Ryde is a Maltese app launched in 2020 with an all-electric fleet, including wheelchair-accessible London-style cabs. For a detailed comparison of the four apps, see our page on ride-hailing in Malta.

Frequently asked questions about Uber in Malta

Is there Uber in Malta?

Yes, Uber has operated in Malta since June 2022 and runs 24/7, on the main island as well as on Gozo. Its fleet is still smaller than Bolt’s, especially at peak times and outside the tourist areas.

Where do you get an Uber at Malta Airport?

Cars booked through an app wait for you on Level -1 of the main car park, reached through the tunnel from the terminal. Follow the signs and check the latest instructions on maltairport.com and in the app.

How much is an Uber from Malta Airport to Valletta?

As a rough guide, allow about €10 to €16 for an UberX outside periods of high demand. The fare varies with the time and traffic: it is shown in the app before you confirm the ride.

Can you pay for an Uber in cash in Malta?

No, Uber does not accept cash in Malta. You pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. If you want to pay in cash, Bolt and eCabs offer that option.

Can you book an Uber in advance in Malta?

In practice, no: the advance booking feature is not offered in Malta. For a very early departure to the airport, eCabs or Bolt let you schedule a ride.

Is Uber cheaper than Bolt in Malta?

Fares are close, often within a euro or two, sometimes more at times of high demand. Bolt is generally a little cheaper and, above all, more widely available: compare both apps before you order.